Michigan's Mr. Basketball: A History Of Winners

who won mr basketball in michigan

The Mr. Basketball award is an annual award presented by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan to high school senior boys basketball players. The award was first introduced in 1981 and is named after the late sportswriter for the Detroit Free Press, Hal Schram. The award recognizes the top male basketball players in Michigan, with previous winners including Magic, who led Everett to the Class A title in 1977, and Derrick Nix, who averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds per game during his time at Pershing.

Characteristics Values
Mr. Basketball Award Named in honor of the late Hal Schram, a sports writer at the Detroit Free Press who covered high school sports for 40 years before retiring in 1983
Year of Inception 1981
Award Presenter Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan
2022 Winner Durral “Phat Phat” Brooks, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, University of Michigan
2009 Winner Derrick Nix, Pershing, Michigan State University
1996 Winner Winfred Walton
1994 Winner Willie Mitchell
1983 Winner Antoine “Judge” Joubert, Southwestern, University of Michigan
1982 Winner Robert Henderson, Lansing Eastern, University of Michigan
1981 Winner Sam Vincent, Lansing Eastern, Michigan State University
1977 Winner Magic
1935 Winner Grady Truss, Flint Northern

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Winners of the Mr Basketball award in Michigan include Corperryale Manny Harris, Robert Henderson, and Sam Vincent

The Mr. Basketball award is given to the best high school senior boys basketball players in Michigan. Corperryale "Manny" Harris, Robert Henderson, and Sam Vincent are among the distinguished recipients of this award.

Corperryale "Manny" Harris, born in Detroit, Michigan, in 1989, is a professional basketball player who has represented the Los Angeles Lakers, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Dallas Mavericks in the NBA. Before turning professional, Harris played three seasons for the Michigan Wolverines. During his high school career, Harris was a highly touted prospect, ranked as the sixth-best shooting guard in the country by Rivals.com for the 2007 high school class. In 2007, he was named Mr. Basketball of Michigan, leading Redford to the Michigan High School Athletic Association Class A championship game.

Robert Henderson, a native of East Lansing, Michigan, stood at an impressive 6'9" (206 cm) tall and weighed 220 lbs (99 kg) during his playing career. He was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the 1986 NBA Draft. While information on his high school basketball career is scarce, it is known that Henderson attended Michigan, suggesting he may have had a notable career in the state.

Sam Vincent, born in 1963, is a former professional basketball player and current coach. He played for the Boston Celtics, winning an NBA Championship in 1986, and also had stints with the Seattle SuperSonics, Chicago Bulls, and Orlando Magic. Vincent attended Lansing's Eastern High School and played for Michigan State University. In 1981, he was named the first-ever Mr. Basketball of Michigan, showcasing his talent and potential at a young age.

These three individuals, among others, have left their mark on Michigan's high school basketball scene and gone on to have successful basketball careers, whether as players or coaches, at the professional level.

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The award is presented annually by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan

The Mr. Basketball award is presented annually by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM) to the top high school senior boys basketball player in the state. The award was first introduced in 1981 and is named after the late sportswriter for the Detroit Free Press, Hal Schram.

The BCAM also selects retro Mr. Basketball winners for decades prior to the inception of the award. In 2010, the BCAM began a 10-year project to honour high school senior boys basketball players from the pre-award era. Awards were announced for players for years ending in 0 from 1920 to 1980. The following year, awards were given for years ending in 1 from 1921 to 1971.

Some notable winners of the Mr. Basketball award include:

  • Robert Henderson (1982) and Sam Vincent (1981) of Lansing Eastern, who both went on to play for Michigan State University.
  • Antoine "Judge" Joubert (1983) of Southwestern, who averaged an impressive 31.9 points, 14 rebounds, and seven assists his senior year.
  • Corperryale "Manny" Harris (2007) of Redford, who averaged 33.5 points and 12 rebounds per game, leading his team to the Class A state championship game.
  • Derrick Nix (2009) of Pershing, a 6-foot-9 player who averaged 15 points and 15 rebounds per game.

The BCAM has also named "7s" Retro Mr. Basketball Winners, honouring players from the past such as Melvin Peterson of Muskegon, who helped guide his team to an 18-0 mark and the Class A championship, and Grady Truss of Flint Northern, the first African-American player to captain his school's basketball team.

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It is named in honour of Hal Schram, a sports writer for the Detroit Free Press

The Mr. Basketball award in Michigan is an annual award presented by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM). It is named in honour of Hal Schram, a sports writer for the Detroit Free Press who covered high school sports for 40 years before retiring in 1983.

The award was first introduced in 1981, with Sam Vincent of Lansing Eastern taking home the inaugural honour before continuing his career at Michigan State University. The award is given to high school senior boys basketball players, with the BCAM also running a 10-year project from 2010 to honour players from the pre-1981 period.

Some notable winners of the Mr. Basketball award include:

  • Durral "Phat Phat" Brooks, Grand Rapids Catholic Central, University of Michigan
  • Antoine "Judge" Joubert, Southwestern, University of Michigan
  • Corperryale "Manny" Harris, Redford, University of Michigan
  • Derrick Nix, Pershing, Michigan State University
  • Winfred Walton, 1996
  • Wilson Chandler, Benton Harbor, DePaul University

The award recognises the top high school basketball players in Michigan, with many winners going on to have successful college and professional careers. The honour of Mr. Basketball celebrates the athletic achievements and potential of these young players, leaving a lasting legacy in the state's basketball history.

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The award was established in 1981, with the first winner being Sam Vincent

The Mr. Basketball award in Michigan was established in 1981, with the inaugural winner being Sam Vincent of Lansing Eastern. Vincent went on to attend Michigan State University. Since its inception, the award has been presented annually by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan (BCAM).

In 2010, the BCAM embarked on a unique 10-year project to honor high school senior boys' basketball players from the years preceding the creation of the Mr. Basketball award. This initiative, known as the "Retro Mr. Basketball" award, recognized players from the years ending in 0, starting from 1920 up to 1980. The following year, 2011, the BCAM announced awards for the corresponding years ending in 1, from 1921 to 1971.

The Mr. Basketball award in Michigan has a rich history, with winners leaving their mark in the state's basketball scene before going on to notable collegiate and professional careers. The award not only celebrates individual excellence but also serves as a platform for players to showcase their talent and pursue their basketball aspirations.

Some notable winners of the Mr. Basketball award in Michigan include Robert Henderson of Lansing Eastern (1982), Antoine "Judge" Joubert of Southwestern (1983), and Derrick Nix of Pershing (2009). These individuals have showcased their skills and contributed to the legacy of the award, inspiring future generations of basketball players in the state.

The award continues to be a prestigious honor for high school basketball players in Michigan, recognizing their hard work, dedication, and outstanding achievements on the court. It has become a hallmark of excellence and a testament to the talent and potential of the state's young basketball stars.

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Retro awards have also been given out, with winners including Melvin Peterson and Grady Truss

The Mr. Basketball award in Michigan has a long history, and in a unique move, the BCAM decided to honour players from before the inception of the award with a 10-year project. Retro awards were given out to players from the years ending in 0 between 1920 and 1980, and the following year, awards were given to players from years ending in 1 between 1921 and 1971.

Among the winners of these retro awards were Melvin Peterson and Grady Truss. Melvin Lowell Peterson, born in 1938, was a shooting guard and small forward from Thief River Falls, Minnesota. He attended Stephenson High School in Stephenson, Michigan, and later, Wheaton College. While at Wheaton, he was a three-time All-American basketball player and was selected as the Most Outstanding Player of the 1957 NCAA Men's Division II basketball tournament, which his team won. He averaged an impressive 22.7 points and 15.8 rebounds per game over his college career and was drafted by the Detroit Pistons in 1960.

Peterson played professionally for both the Pistons and the Baltimore Bullets, with whom he signed as a free agent in 1963. He played in the NBA and the ABA, making his ABA debut in 1967 and last playing in 1970. Despite a relatively short four-year career, he made a significant impact, becoming the 1969 ABA Champion.

Grady Truss' achievements, on the other hand, are less well-documented. Nevertheless, it is clear that he, like Peterson, demonstrated exceptional skill and made a lasting impression on Michigan basketball to be recognised with a retro Mr. Basketball award.

Frequently asked questions

In 2009, the Mr. Basketball award in Michigan was won by Pershing's Derrick Nix.

Other winners include Winfred Walton (1996), Wilson Chandler (2005), and Durral "Phat Phat" Brooks.

The Mr. Basketball award is presented annually by the Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan to honour high school senior boys basketball players.

The award was first introduced in 1981 and is named after the late sportswriter Hal Schram.

The first winner of the Mr. Basketball award was Sam Vincent from Lansing Eastern.

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